Fly up front on Austrian Airlines flights for a premium

Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa are introducing a new premium for the front rows of economy class on long-haul flights.

The new economy seats now added to the Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines tariffs are known as “preferred seating zones”. Specifically, the change applies to the rows directly behind business class and premium economy class. According to the airlines, passengers are located closer to the exits and save time. But this saving comes at a price.

The fee, which ranges from EUR 30-50, depends on the length of the route. HON Circle Members and Senators can secure these spots free of charge (subject to availability). This concept has been in place elsewhere at the Lufthansa Group for some time, with subsidiary Swiss offering passengers the chance to sit in the front row of economy seats for a premium since 2014. You can continue to book these seats via your travel partner, as before.